Ch. 286..290: Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad Chapter 286-290
Chapter 286
I come abruptly awake with a little gasp when the car goes over a little bump outside the gates of Villa Bianci. My eyes fly open and 1 look up to see Kent already turned in his seat, looking at me. I give him a little nod, letting him know that Im all right, and then I turn to glance at my dad, who looks at me with worry, and then down at my little boy. Dominic, thankfully, is still asleep. We stopped once on the way for a little break so that I could feed and change him, but he seems pretty settled now.
Which is good because...
Well, we're here, aren't we? We pass through Biancis guarded gate and start to drive slowly towards the house.
I'm a little glad that Dominic is asleep - I don't think a crying infant is going to make our negotiation go any easier.
"You all right, baby?" my dad asks, leaning towards me a little, the puppy alert in his lap and looking curiously towards the window.
"m okay," I say with a yawn, doing my best to stretch my arms out in the cramped space. "I'm just so tired - is this normal?"
"I think it is," he says, giving me a little nod and a smile." Janeen's mom was exhausted for days after she was born.
But it gets better, and I'm here to help you."
"You're the best, dad," I say, smiling at him and reaching over Dominic to squeeze his shoulder. But there's no time to say anything else as Gio pulls up to the house and eases the car to a stop. Alessi and Valentina are standing outside, waiting quietly, their faces solemn.
We're all silent as we start to get out of the car. Kent comes instantly around to me as Janeen pulls up behind us, and I give her a glance as I step out of the car to make sure she's all right before turning to look up at Kent.
"Kent," I breathe, fear starting to coil in my stomach. I was all right on the way here - but now that were at the house?
About to go in, and face Bianci? "What's - what's going to happen?"
"It's all right," he murmurs, cupping my cheek in his palm." I'll handle it, Fay."
I shake my head, still worried. "But what's our plan? What are we going to say to him? How are we -"
"You don't have to worry about this," he murmurs, stepping closer to me and bringing his other hand to my cheek." Please, Fay, all you have to do is stand there - let me take care of this -"
I open my mouth to protest that he's just as exhausted as I am when movement catches my eye. I take a step back, Kent's hands falling from my cheeks as Alessi steps around the car, looking curiously at us, standing so close s**l. s**l. In all of the distraction, I forgot the façade.
Blushing a little, I duck into the car, reaching for Dominic and starting to unbuckle him. Luckily, my dad's there to help my fumbling hands as Kent says some cold greetings to Alessi outside the car.
"You can just take him in the car seat, Fay," my dad says, his voice gentle.
"I know," I sigh, finishing with his straps and lifting my baby into my arms. His little Yankees cap falls off in the process, but it let it, wanting to feel his soft hair against my cheek." Dad, will you take the carrier? I just want to..."
But dad just pats my hands and smiles at me, nodding to let me know he understands. I exhale a little, bolstered by my dad's quiet, steady warmth, and then I steel myself, reminding myself of precisely who I am before I duck out of the car with the baby in my
arms.
"There she is," Alessi says, his face bursting into a warm smile I think despite himself. He puts his arms out and I take a step forward, letting him give me a small hug. "And the beautiful child," Alessi murmurs, leaning back a little to look down at Dominic. "My first grand-nephew. He is beautiful, Fay. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Alessi," I say quietly as he admires my son. I glance up at Kent, who stands stoically with his hands in his pockets, watching us. Because this just feels so... weird.
Now that the baby is here, pretending that Kent is not his father? It's not as easy as it used to be.
Valentina appears around the end of the car, Janeen at her side, and gives a little squeak when she sees the baby.
She's instantly in motion, dashing past her son, reaching for me, reaching for the child -
Haugh a little, remembering how Valentina said how much she likes children, and I tilt Dominic so that she can see him in my arms -
But Alessi just sighs and takes her by the arm before she can get to me. "We have business to attend to, Valentina," he murmurs, holding her back.
Valentina whips her head to him and says something low and dangerous in Italian, gesturing towards the child - I think protesting that it's not fair that he got to see the baby when she did not. But Alessi just sighs and ignores her, looking first at me and then at Kent. "Are you ready?" he asks. "He is waiting."
None of us need to ask who. Kent simply nods and the six of us follow the two of them into the house. Janeen takes a moment to stroke a hand over my hair, murmuring a hello to me and the baby before she falls back with dad. I walk at Kent's side, Gio slightly before us.
When we get into the house, Valentina falls back, kindly inviting Janeen and my father to join her in the kitchen for some refreshments, offering to get a bowl of water for the puppy - clear code that they are not welcome at the meeting upstairs. Janeen hesitates but Kent nods solemnly to her and so they go.
I shoot Gio a look, silently asking if they'll be okay with his mother, and he gives me a solemn nod. So I sigh, and send one last glance after my wonderful family, and begin to climb the steps after Alessi. Were all silent as we walk up the stairs, going slow to accommodate my pace, and then across the house to the same gorgeous study that Bianci has always used for these little chats.
When we arrive, though, I'm a bit surprised to see that Bianci is far from alone.
Relief instantly floods me when I see Daniel and Jerome standing together at the far side of the room, healthy and whole. My knees actually go weak, a little, but Kent is instantly there, his hand under my elbow to support me.
"Do you need me to..." he murmurs, glancing down at the baby.
But I shake my head, determined, and move instantly across the room to my husband. On the way, I catch a glance of Natalia from the corner of my eye, looking devastating in a tight black dress, leaning against the fireplace mantle and studying us all as we come in. "Fay" Daniel breathes, wrapping his arms lightly around me as I come close. He give me a gentle squeeze but then instantly looking down into my arms. "Oh my god, oh my god..." he shakes his head in awes. "Is this.is this him?" "No, Daniel, this is a loner," I say, my voice a little dry.
Daniel starts for a second but then lets out a little laugh, glancing up at me as Jerome takes a step forward, pressing a hasty kiss to my cheeks.
"He's beautiful, Fay," Jerome murmurs, his eyes a little misty.
"You guys are all right?" I whisper, looking frantically between them as Kent joins us, greeting his son with a warm hug
"We're fine," Jerome says, nodding eagerly to me, letting me know that nothing is amiss
"And did..you..." I bite my lip, wondering if everything went okay with...well, with my mother.
"We did," Jerome whispers, reaching out a hand to squeeze my shoulder. "We don't know anything but...Bianci took her.
That's all we know."
"Okay," I say, nodding and glancing up at Kent with a steady exhale of breath. Daniel stares at the baby in my arms, softly stroking his sleeping cheek, apparently in awe of him.
But Kent nods firmly to me and puts a hand between my shoulder blades, turning back to the center of the room, where Bianci is waiting and taking me with him. As we cross, I see Gio moving to Daniel's side, wrapping his favorite cousin in a warm hug. "Apologies, Don Bianci," Kent says. "But I'm sure you can understand Fay's eagerness to allow Daniel to meet his first born son."
"Of course," Bianci says from his place in his leather chair, a little cup of espresso balanced neatly on his knee. "It seemed to me a...unique decision in the first place," he continues, his eyes shifting to me now, "to allow the child's father to make the trip to my home. On such an auspicious day."
I go a little cold at his words, because of course we did the opposite of that - Dominic's actual father stayed where he belonged at my side. Still, it was a great sacrifice to not have Daniel and Jerome there - not to mention the actual sacrifice of my mother. And this guy is just going to sit there, calmly drinking his coffee and commenting on my priorities?
I step forward. "I hope it only emphasizes my dedication to you, Don Bianci," I say quietly, my little baby held tight in my arms, "that I would send my husband on such an important task the day his son was born."
Bianci studies me for a moment, a little smile turning his lips, but then he simply nods. "Bring the child," he says, gesturing towards me with a little curl of his fingertips. "I am eager to meet the next generation of my bloodline." Dread pools in me, just a little, as I bring Dominic forward.
Because, of course, my baby doesn't have an ounce of Bianci blood in him. But if the Don believes that he does?
Well, that can only work in our favor.
Daniel comes to my side as I tilt the baby so that Bianci can see him, Kent standing just behind us.
"Beautiful," the Mafia Don murmurs, studying the child with a small smile. "Congratulations, Daniel, Fay," he continues, looking up at us now, "on the birth of your son. It is a blessing. Family, of course, is everything."
We murmur our thanks to the Don before stepping back a little, and I look around to see that Jerome stands quietly in one corner of the room with Gio, both of them watching intently.
Alessi and Natalia come forward to stand on either side of Bianci's chair, facing Daniel, Kent and I in the center of the room.
And thus the battle begins.
Chapter 287
To my surprise, Kent throws the first blow. "Why have you called us here," he says, his voice cold, "the day after Fay has her child, threatening my son's safety if I didn't come running? Are things so broken between us that this could not wait?" Bianci has my full attention when he answers. "To speak of broken things," he says slowly, a cat's smile playing on his lips, "is a bit ironic here, Kent. Considering it is your word that was broken this weekend."
I hear the sharp inhale of Kent's breath at my side, but I don't look at him. I know he's working hard to keep his temper - that this is more emotional for him than Bianci knows.
"I am aware that we missed the deadline for the Monaco deal. But there's nothing there that can't be salvaged -"
"You gave your word, Kent," Bianci snaps, glaring at him, knowing he has the upper hand. "What kind of man am I if I allow someone to give me their word and then break it. It is unacceptable." "Circumstances," Kent objects, gesturing towards me now," were beyond our control -"
"So you say," Bianci interrupts, shifting his eyes to me now.
"Though I have no proof of the rather ridiculous story."
My mouth falls open a little bit at this - I mean, the story is a little bit ridiculous, but it is very real.
"A road-side kidnapping?" Bianci says, his voice twisting a little with disbelief, "and the convenient return of Fay's long-lost mother, who just happens to be an FBI agent?"
"Are you," I say, stepping forward and speaking a little despite myself, "are you suggesting that I'm lying about my mother? When I've turned her over into your hands?"
As I wait for his answer I'm a little struck by the irony of my accusation - because I am lying to this man about the child I'm claiming is his great grandson. But some part of me is still appalled that he'd doubt the other parts of the story.
"I do not doubt that she's your mother," Bianci murmurs, his eyes moving over me from head to foot, "the striking visual connection between you two is proof enough of that. But the short, too-convenient timeline? The hasty demand that I accept her in place of the deal we set up in Monaco?"
He clicks his tongue and shakes his head, slowly sipping from his coffee cup, clearly indicating that it is not something he accepts.
I laugh a little in disbelief at this man, but before I can speak again Kent takes charge.
"It's a fair trade," Kent says, folding his arms over his chest.
"The information that Victoria Thompson can give you -
-"
"Is nothing," Bianci snaps, slamming his espresso cup down on the little table next to him. Behind him, Natalia smirks, pleased. "And even if the woman has some value, it was not what we agreed upon. You, Kent Lippert, do not manage the terms of this deal. That is for me to decide.
And you failed to uphold your end of the deal, offering a cheap substitute in its place -"
"Cheap substitute!?" My words are appalled as I stare at this man, aghast. "On top of everything I own - industries worth millions I saved you from her plan to take you down, and then I gave you my mother!"
My final word is a shout, ringing out into the room, which falls silent as everyone stares at me.
Bianci's stare bores deepest of all.
"Yes, Fay," he says, turning his head consideringly after a long moment of silence. "Why did you give me your mother?"
I gape at him, not knowing what to say. I mean, as far as I'm concerned, that question has been answered.
"Why," he continues, steepling his fingers and resting them gently on top of his knee, "would you - Daniel's soft-hearted bride - offer everything you own for his rather estranged father's freedom? And Gios, on top of it? Two men who are largely strangers to you. And yet you trade your mother for them."
I stare at him, remembering how Kent pointed out this hole in my plan that day in the shower. And I come up blank. I hitch Dominic a little higher in my arms, glancing down at him, but I have. absolutely no answer to that question.
"None of that matters," Kent growls, stepping to my side." What matters is that Fay has paid enough - the deal is complete. You accepted Victoria Thompson - she's in your power now. If you felt her an insubstantial replacement for Monaco, you should have sent her back -"
"That's not how it works, boy!" Bianci snaps, leaning forward to meet Kents glare.
"It is," Kent seethes, leaning forward to tower over the smaller, older man.
"Be very careful, Kent," Bianci says slowly, holding Kent's gaze, "because you are very close to sparking a war between our families. And considering that you cannot go back to America, you are on my territory? I will destroy you if it comes to that." Bianci moves his gaze now to me, to Daniel, and my heart goes cold as his eyes finally land on my child. "I will destroy all of you if you push me to it."
I find myself absolutely shocked to see this frail man speak so boldly to Kent, who could so clearly kill him with a swipe of his hand. But Bianci's power - it goes deeper than that, doesn't it?
Not an ounce of me doubts that Bianci could do it - that's the true power he holds over people. Kent's power is at least in part his extreme physical prowess - but Bianci? He makes you believe that he can destroy you without even lifting a finger. If we don't bow now, if we don't give into his terms, it will be war between us. And Bianci will win it.
"I'm not giving in on this, Bianci," Kent snaps and my eyes go wide as I glance up at him. "You accept the exchange - the American FBI agent for the Monaco deal. Everything else is the same. If you do not accept it, I'll take your offer of war. And I will destroy you." Kent stares into Bianci's eyes then and I go completely cold, my knees starting to again go weak in my exhaustion and my fear. Because this - this was the opposite of everything I wanted -
I wanted peace, and freedom and safety -
War, between these two men - what does that even mean?
What would it look like? What -
I stumble back a step, my eyes shutting for a second as my vision darkens in my sudden panic -
Kent gasps, grabbing me instantly, one arm around my waist, the other at my elbow where the baby is. He takes my weight against his arm and I work hard to steady myself, to find my feet again -
God, I'm just so tired -
"Is this your final word on it, Kent?" Bianci snaps, his voice cold. "Because I am prepared to do this. Do not try to bluff me, boy."
Kent whips his head to Bianci, his arm still hard around me, and opens his mouth to reply -
But before he can do anything, a door at the back of the room - a door I didn't even know was there - suddenly bursts open.
"No!" A voice shouts, and small footsteps pound into the room. I blink in surprise to see nonna stride forward, her hand held high above her head, a single finger pointed into the air. "No!" she shouts again, and then she faces her husband, who stares at her in shocked surprise, before beginning to hiss at him in fast, vivid Italian.
"What.." I say, working hard to stand up straight again as Kent keeps his hand firm on my waist. I glance between him and Daniel. "What is..happening?"
Kent doesn't answer, but Daniel leans closer to me."
Nonna's taking our side," he whispers to me. "She says she won't have war. Give me a second, I'll translate..."
And the three of us listen, rapt, as the old Italian couple begin to argue in a language I don't understand.
Chapter 288
"It is enough!" Daniel says, translating nonna's words for me as she says them. "That girl has given you enough."
"Get back, old woman," Bianci growls, and Daniel translates these words for me too. "It's none of your business what happens in this room -"
"It is my business! It is all my business!" she shouts, throwing her hands into the air. "This is my family - and you -" here she points her finger into his face again, "you talk on and on about the importance of family - how family is above everything - but when my son comes home, you threaten war!?" She hurls her finger in Kent's direction now, again claiming him as her son - the child she raised, the boy who married her daughter so many years ago. "You do not understand what you are talking about -"
Bianci snaps, glancing over at us and then up at Alessi and Natalia. I get the distinct impression that he is out of his element - that this has never happened before. His good, sweet Italian wife - who always knows her duties and keeps his perfect home for him - interfering in his business?
I can't help the little smirk that finds my lips now. Because it is nice to see Bianci unsettled, even if just for a moment.
"I understand everything," Nonna hisses, glaring into his face. "You go too far, old man. You are greedy - that girl has given you too much - millions of lira - the skin off her back - her own mother handed to you on the day she gave birth to her first child, a mark of fealty to you, to a man who does nothing but press her for more simply because you are an old, greedy, fat -"
Daniel stutters over this last word and presses his lips closed for a second. I stare up at him, shocked to see him working hard not to burst into shocked laughter.
Bianci bursts into angry words at his wife now, getting to his feet and towering over her. They speak so fast - I stare up at Daniel, shocked, but he just shakes his head and murmurs that he can't quite follow.
I glance over at Kent, to see his eyes likewise wide with surprise. This, clearly,
is a first for him too.
"Enough!" Nonna shouts, and I stand still and straight when see that Bianci actually does as she says, shutting his mouth and glaring at her while he holds his tongue.
Natalia stares at them with her mouth open.
"If you push our son away again," Nonna says, her words slow and dangerous enough now that Daniel can resume whispering his translation in my ear, "I will never forgive you."
"He is not -" Bianci begins, looming over the smaller woman, but I actually gasp when she reaches her hand up and smacks him on the cheek -
Not a real slap, not anything violent, just a tap - a reminder that she is speaking, and that her words carry weight.
Bianci clenches his jaw and slowly slips his hands into his pockets as he glares down at the tiny woman. Again, I am absolutely floored by the power she holds over him.
"That boy is my son," Nonna hisses as she points over to Kent, and Daniel's voice a little choked as he whispers her words. "We lost him for twenty years when you made him go to America, but he is mine, he is ours. Don't you remember the day he came to our doorstep, just a skinny, sad, lost little boy? We raised him from that boy into the man he is - we loved him so much we gave him our daughter to wed - we held him through his sadness, and he held our daughter when she died -"
Tears spring to her eyes now and even Bianci works hard to manage his emotions.
My cheeks are wet, but nobody is surprised at that. Of course I'm crying.
"Enough, Corina," Bianci murmurs, covering his face with one hand, rubbing at his eyes.
My eyes flick around the room as I wipe at my cheeks with my free hand, at Alessi, whose mouth trembles as he stares at his parents, at Natalia who looks at Nonna in complete shock.
And then up at Kent, who stands stoic at my side, his arm still passively around me, his face...blank.
Or at least, blank to the casual observer. But I know him now - I can see in his stillness how hard he is working to not let anything show. And deep beneath it all, I know a great well of emotion is bursting through. Flean..just a little closer, wanting desperately to press myself to his side as this woman I know he loves so much claims him, irrevocably, as her son.
But I also knowing that the stakes are just too high and her claim may be too little to stop this.
"It is enough," Nonna whispers, stepping closer to her husband. Daniel has to clear his throat to make his words clear as he continues to translate. "Kent has been a good son to us - and whatever his girl is offering now, it is enough. Take it," she says, nodding to him eagerly, "and let there be peace between us. Let us have our son back - let us raise this new grandchild in peace instead of at war."
Daniel's words falter as he repeats her words to me, as she casts a hand out towards us and we all go still as we realize what nonna said - what she has long figured out.
That Dominic...is not her great-grandchild.
But instead...
Slowly, Bianci turns to stare at the three of us, his eyes roving over the picture we present. And it's impossible - absolutely impossible to miss the fact that though Daniel leans towards me, speaking into my ear, that it's Kent's arm that's wrapped around my waist I see Bianci quickly doing the mental calculations, figuring out everything that Nonna elearly already knew That it was Kent who caught me, just a moment ago, when Flost my balance
That on the day my child was born, it was Kent who stayed at my side and Daniel who went to complete our family's mission.
That it is Kent who has always had a proclivity for small, fierce things - and Daniel who never showed an interest in girls at all. Who, indeed, snuck out on summer nights, going who knows where in the dark...
Slowly, Biancis lips curl into a wicked smile, his eyes lighting with glee.
And behind him, Natalia gets there just a second later - gasping, pressing a hand to her mouth.
Alessi takes the longest before he sucks in a deep breath of air, muttering something in Italian and staring between us.
"Is this true?" Bianci says slowly, switching to English now so that I can understand. "Is this child..."
None of us say anything. I stand...completely still, not knowing at all what to do.
But Kent acts for both of us. After a long moment of silence, he tightens the arm that is around me, gently pulling me flush against his side. Claiming me, and our child. Marking us incontrovertibly as his, not as Daniel's.
And I raise my chin, refusing to be ashamed. I love this man, I'm proud of our beautiful child. I won't let getting caught in my lie cow me.
Alessi murmurs something swift and vivid, tucking his face into his hands as Natalia stares at us open-mouthed in shock.
Nonna just rolls her eyes, crossing her arms and looking around at her family like they're all idiots for not realizing it immediately, as she did.
"So, this is it, then," Bianci says, stepping towards us and gesturing between Kent, Daniel, and I. "My wife would have me drop the argument, drop the claim, for the sake of family. But how can I ever trust you," he says, narrowing his eyes specifically on me now. "When you have tried to trick me, Fay Lippert. Tried to pass this child off as one of my line, when it is absolutely nothing to me?"
And he laughs then, a dark chuckle that clearly lets me know he's won.
And my heart sinks absolutely to the pit of my stomach.
Chapter 289
"We were desperate, nonno," Daniel says, stepping forward. "It's my fault, it was my idea -"
Bianci just presses his lips together, waving a dismissive hand at Daniel. "No one believes that you thought of this Daniele," Bianci says, dismissive, turning his gaze back to me. "It is all this grasping little girl, isn't it? Trying to get her claws into the Bianci family - to see what she can do." He bends over a little, peering into my eyes like he's trying to figure me out. "What is it you have planned, Fay? What do you really want? Were you trying to take Gio out of this family so that your boy could be my heir? Hmm?" Something in the way he stares at me like Im a cunning little toy, a piece of clockwork he can figure out makes me stand up straighter, lifting my chin high. "I want what was offered, Bianci," I say, my voice firm. "I want Kent and Gio out. Nothing more, nothing less. I want Kent out so that my child is never any closer to this business than he already is.
And yes, I played every card available to me to get that, as well as putting everything I have on the table for you. I'd do it all again."
He smirks a little, I think appreciating my spirit, even if he is well aware that he is a cat and I am the little mouse he has backed into a corner.
"This is why I don't do business with women," he murmurs, still staring at me. "You lie, and you cheat, and you scrabble
- but in the end, you are sloppy -"
"Enough," Kent says, his words livid. "The deal stands, Bianci, if you'll take it. We want nothing more than what we've offered - and you've already made Fay pay through the teeth for it -"
"Oh, Kent, the terms have changed," Bianci says, straightening up and laughing a little - actually laughing-god, I see why people hate this man - "for I'll never be able to trust you now -"
But Biancis speech is interrupted when his wife smacks him on his arm, demanding something in angry Italian.
"She wants to know what he's saying," Kent murmurs, translating for me now as he holds me close to his side." He's...explaining that he can't trust us, that the deal can't go through. That if hes ever going to trust me again, i'll have to prove myself with years of loyalty."
Nonna gasps, her eyes going wide as she stares appalled at her husband. Then she whips up her tiny anger again, pointing it straight in his face, and begins to speak slowly, every word heavy with the gravity of her intent.
"You listen to me, old man," she says, Kent giving the translation to me word-for-word now that she speaks slower. "You and I? Our lives are almost finished. We are going to die in a few short years - and I intend to live them, every single one of them, surrounded by the ones that I love. If you make me lose my son, and my two grandsons
- one of which I have barely met - I will never forgive you, and I will make your short life a living nightmare.
Bianci blinks at his wife's vehemence, and...did I see that right? Did he go a little pale, under his tanned skin?
She laughs now, her own dark chuckle. "Italian women always outlive their husbands, my love," she says, her voice low with threat. "And I will be a good widow to you - I will wear the black, and I will hold your memory close to my heart. But you should remember who cooks your meals, old man - and thus who has a great deal of control over how long I get to be a widow."
My eyes go wide at the very, very real threat she lays out for him - for all of us. Because Nonna - she has very plainly chosen her adoptive son over her husband.
The way Bianci's mouth falls open lets me see that this is new for him as well - that his perfect, sweet, obedient wife of dozens of years has perhaps never stood up to him like this, has never insisted on anything.
But now? Now she has put her foot down. Even beyond that, it seems that she has lifted her knife.
"Corina," Bianci murmurs, putting a pleading hand out to her, asking him to see his side -
But she just shakes her head, slow, decided. "I will inherit it all, my love," she murmurs, "when you die, no matter when that is. And if you do not go with me on this, I will leave it all to Kent anyway, when I die after you. If you want to start a war," she says, shaking her head slowly at him, "then I,
100, shall play."
She folds her arms, clearly letting Bianci decide.
He glares at his wife, livid, for a long moment.
And then he shocks me by exhaling a deep breath, covering his face with his hand and murmuring something that I can't hear. Kent's arm tenses around me, and I can tell that he is surprised as well, holding his breath while he waits for Bianci's answer. "What would you have me do, wife?" Bianci murmurs to his wife. "Let them lie to me? Let them back out of the deal they made?"
"I would have you take the millions that the girl has offered you," Nonna says, softer now, gentle as she steps forward and wraps her hands around her husband's arm, her tactic changing as she pleads with him now. "Let her make you rich - richer than you already are - you don't need the money anyway. And let our son go! Let him raise his second child in peace if that's what he wants. Let them take Gio - let them all go, love. But let them do it in peace, so that we may come to our house and visit us. Is this what you want, you ruthless man? To live your last years alone and at war?"
She gestures towards me now, sending me a warm glance that goes right to my heart. "The girl has given you her wealth, her mother, for the sake of this man. She has given it all up for the sake of him - it shows she will be a good little wife to our boy. Take what she has offered, and give them your blessing in return."
I press myself even closer to Kent's side, my eyes filling again at her words, and I hold my baby close to my chest.
Because that is everything, everything I want - And though I didn't realize I wanted it before, I do want this connection to this house - to nonna at least. I want this woman as my child's grandmother, I want Kent to be able to come and see the woman who raised him.
My breath comes short as I move my eyes to Bianci, hoping desperately that he takes what is before him.
Because Nonna is right - it is so much more than the money, and the deal.
It's the life. It's peace.
Bianci stares at us for a long moment, his eyes moving from me, to Daniel, and finally to Kent - the child he raised.
"I will accept the deal," he says, his voice low and a little bitter to be persuaded. But he wraps an arm around his wife's shoulders, tugging her close against him. "The American woman in exchange for Monaco...it is enough, this once. The rest will be processed," he says, raising an eyebrow at Kent.
Kent nods, agreeing to transfer all of the assets I stole from my father to Bianci as soon as possible.
My heart wells with joy.
"Then we will have peace," Bianci says, glancing down at his wife. "Because your mother has asked for it," he murmurs, "and it will be my gift to her."
He says something softly to Nonna in Italian that makes her face burst into a smile, and she twines her arms around Biancis waist, tugging him close and standing on her toes to give him a simple kiss on his cheek. I am shocked to see a coy smile on Bianci's face then, almost as if he can't help it. Because he loves her - I realize. Loves her very much.
I look up at Kent, hardly able to believe it, and he looks down at me, raising a hand to stroke his thumb across my cheekbone.
"Is that really it?" I whisper, breathless. "Is it...it's over?"
"It's done, Fay," Kent replies, a small, disbelieving smile starting on his mouth as he shakes his head at me. "You did it."
"I didn't do anything," I say to him with wide eyes, glancing back over at the tiny woman at the center of the room." Nonna did everything."
"No, Fay," Kent says, a little dry. "Nonna closed the door - but all of this? This was you. I owe you everything." And he lowers his face, and presses his lips to mine, and my eyes drift shut as I stand a little on my toes as I kiss him back, wanting always to be closer to him. "Oh my god." Natalia's disgusted voice rings through the room, startling me so that i pull my face from Kent's just in time to see her stalking from the room.
Chapter 290
Kent sighs, shaking his head after Natalia as Nonna crosses the room, smiling at me so happily that h "Welcome to the family, Fay," Bianci says, his voice still a little bitter as he walks over to us, glancing a "Thank you, Don Bianci," I murmur, genuinely meaning it as Nonna fusses over my child, rocking him and "You are a daughter now," he says seriously, raising an eyebrow at me. "It will take time to build trust "Peace," Nonna says in English, nodding seriously, which makes me smile again. She grins back at me and and my eyes again fill with tears. I nod back to her, twining an arm around Kent's waist, resting my hea All of the adrenaline is leaving my body, and in its wake?
God, I could fall asleep right here.
Kent, feeling me slump against him, holds me tight, looking towards the door.
nearly close with her joy. She murmurs softly to me in Italian, reaching for the baby, who I pass willingly into her arms.
and then back to me. "Though, in a different role now."
putting his little blanket back so she can see all of his face.
you and I. But," he shrugs, nodding towards his wife. "She demands peace, which will give us the time."
reaches out a hand to brush against my cheek. "You," she says in hesitating English, holding my gaze. "Are..my. Daughter." She nods solidly with the declaration, nst his chest. And suddenly - quite suddenly - I am again very exhausted.
But Nonna steps towards him, looking between Kent and the child, murmuring something in Italian. Kent smiles and looks down at me. "She wants to know his name," he says, nodding to me.
"Oh," I say, and I turn to her with a warm smile. "Domenico," I say, giving his Italian name, knowing, somohon, that it's right. With this family? He will always be Domenico, even if he's my little Dominic. Kent holds me tight, and I know he appreciates the gesture. "Domenico," Nonna coos, smiling down at the baby like it's the most perfect name she's ever heard. T nods sharply at the baby before shifting her eyes to me, wrapping a gentle hand around my arm as he nods towards the door, speaking swiftly in Italian.
I move with her, looking up at Kent in confusion.
"She says it's time to get you and Domenico to bed," he says, smiling. "And that she can't believe Bian
dragged you across Sicility the day after you had a child."
I raise my eyebrows at him. "Well, I agree with that." And I turn to Nonna and nod vehemently, which makes her laugh. Nonna slips her arm through mine, linking elbows with me and pulling me along out of the room with Half of me hesitates, wanting to go back to Daniel, but Kent just lifts his chin towards the door, letting
- that someone else will take care of everything.
So I sigh, and give it up, just a little - because Kent is right.
I take on too much, and right now my little boy needs me, and I need rest.
Nonna moves swiftly through her house, chattering away in Italian even though I don't understand he,
lance over my shoulder, seeing Kent following swiftly behind, Jerome and Gio moving to Daniel's side as Alessi wanders over to have a word with them. ow that it's all right - that I can go, and prioritize myself and the child
aby tucked safely in her arm. Kent obviously has no trouble keeping up as we wind through halls. I'm a little distracted, trying to look at everything in the
private parts of the house I've never been to before, so I barely notice when Nonna pushes open a door and sweeps me into a bedroom.
I gasp a little when I look around - because it's just so pretty. The room is simple - polished oak floors with a warm, simple rug, solid wood furniture, and then everything else white. Beautiful white bedding that looks so soft, and white flowers on the desk, and long white drapes that blow in the breeze through the open windows.
"Oh, it's so pretty," I murmur, looking around and pressing a hand to my chest.
Kent translates my words to Nonna, who beams at me before pulling me forward to the bed. She tugs back the fluffy white duvet, patting the sheets and gesturing vehemently for me to get in. I laugh a little, glancing back at Kent. "Do I even get to use the bathroom first? Or am I demanded to go immediately to sleep?"
"Honestly, Fay," he sighs, smiling at me, "I'd just do as she says for now."
I laugh and nod, getting into the bed. As soon as I'm settled, Nonna hands Dominic back into my arms, fluffing the pillows and tugging the blankets so that they're straight.
Dominic starts to wake now, fussing a bit, and I realize that he's probably hungry. Honestly, it's kind of a miracle that he stayed quiet through that whole meeting- What a good little boy -
"Will you tell her I'm going to nurse him?" I say, glancing at Kent while I start to tug at the zipper of my dress.
Kent nods, turning to say something to Nonna, who nods back at him and then to my shock - gives him a little shove towards the door. Kent laughs and gestures towards me, explaining something, but she just waves her hand at him and shoves him again, pointing at the door, clearly demanding that he go.
My face drops - because I mean, I like Nonna - but I want Kent here -
He sighs. "She wants me to go," he says, looking up at me, clearly torn. "She says it's women's job to take care of you now, and I should go deal with the details with Bianci -"
I bite my lip, knowing that that makes sense, but still - The door creeks open. "Can I come in?" I peer around Kent to see Valentina peeking through the door, Janeen behind her with Titus in her arms. Instantly, I feel better.
"Yes!" I call as Nonna steps to the back of the bed, helping me tug down the zipper of my dress so that I can feed Dominic, who is really crying now.
Valentina comes in and is instantly at my side, kind of knocking Kent out of the way in her eagerness to see the baby. "Oh, he is so beautiful," she coos, reaching out to run a hand over his head. "And you have named him Domenico? It is perfect, Fay -": "Looks like you don't matter anymore, Kent," Janeen says, and I look up to see her grinning at him. "All of your fans have instantly transitioned to your kid."
He shrugs, smirking at her. "I'm happy to share. I don't need a fuss."
"Oh, whatever," Janeen laughs, shaking her head at him." You love a fuss, Kent - you just pretend you're all stoic -*
He laughs, and I'm pleased nearly to death when I see him reach out and give her a little shove on the shoulder.
Valentina turns to him finally, biting her lip. "Kent, you're wanted back in the study," she says, looking between me and him. "We can take good care of Fay - Alessi, he says you need to iron out the details -"
"It's okay, Kent," I say, smiling at him as Dominic latches and begins to have his little lunch. "I'm in good hands, and I'll be asleep in like... thirty minutes."
Kent hesitates again, but then sighs and nods, moving back towards the door. "I'll be back," he says, looking at me seriously.
"Oh, I know you will," I say, raising my eyebrows seriously at him. "You're stuck with me now, Lippert."
He bursts into a grin, laughing, and then turns towards the door, shouting something over his shoulder in Italian as he goes that makes Valentina laugh. I look at her curiously as Janeen sits on the edge of the bed, putting the puppy on the bed. Titus instantly darts to my side and I stroke his soft head. He gives me a few little licks on the hand before laying down next to me.
"He just said he'll kill us all if we don't treat you like a queen," Valentina says with a sigh, wrinkling her nose at me. I start a little in surprise, laughing at the violence that stands alongside the sweet sentiment of the message, but Valentina just laughs too. "A very Italian thing to say," she murmurs with a shrug.
Things happen pretty quickly, then. I nurse Dominic as Nonna produces a soft cotton nightgown for me to change into from a drawer. Janeen lets me know that dad is happily receiving a tour of the grounds before she fills me in on what went on downstairs - mostly just being fed a lot and everyone admiring the puppy before Natalia came down shouting that Kent was an i***t who had married a child instead of her.
I can't help laughing at this, and I'm pleased to see that Valentina and Nonna laugh along with me, Nonna shaking her head and mumbling something.
"We were surprised, Fay, don't believe that we weren't," Valentina says with a shrug, smiling at me. "But Nonna is right - she says Natalia has been too thirsty for Kent for too long, and has never recognized that if Kent was right for her, he'd be at her side. It is good, finally, to see Kent look at someone the way he looked at you just now - like you are the center of everything."
I blush at the compliment, smiling at Valentina, but then I bite my lip a little, feeling a bit sorry for Natalia despite it all. But...well, Nonna understands the situation well. Kent is mine because we suit each other; if hed been right for Natalia, they'd be together. And now that we have this perfect little baby...there's no way were ever letting each other go.
Natalia - she will find someone who loves her, I'm sure.
She's a beautiful woman, after all. How could she not?
When Dominic finishes, Valentina eagerly takes him from me, perching him up over her shoulder and murmuring softly to him in Italian as she walks him around the room, patting his back. I smile as I get to my feet, watching Valentina, seeing the very real motherly nature in her. I mean, I'm confident that I'm going to be a good mom too, but Valentina - it seems to be her whole existence.
Nonna is instantly at my side again, taking my arm even though I don't really need the help, leading me over to the bathroom, where I take a few minutes to clean up. When I return, I'm yawning wide as exhaustion hits me again.
"Sleep, Fay" Valentina says, still walking slowly around the room with the baby perched on her shoulder.
Nonna nods eagerly, gesturing towards the bed from a chair by the window, a skein of yarn somehow magically in her lap. Where did she even get that from? Janeen is curled on the other side of the bed, looking at her phone. She, too, grins at me as Titus gives an eager little yip to see me again.
"I feel rude"" I say, frowning a little at all of them as I get into the bed. "I can't just sleep while you're all sitting here, taking care of my kid -"
"Oh, yes you can, Fay," Valentina says, smiling at me over my baby's shoulder. "We're women, and we're family. That's what we're here for." And so I smile around at them, and curl up next to my sister, and sigh deeply.
Sleep takes me within moments.